TIPS FROM LOCALS
Budapest Districts |
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Get Familiar With Budapest Districts! |
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Click on a district number to find out more about a certain Budapest district! |
Inner Budapest Districts
District I
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One of the oldest parts of Budapest. District I includes the historic Castle District, with charming, cobbled streets and grand medieval monuments, like the Royal Palace, Matthias Church and Fishermen's Bastion. The northern part of Gellért Hill is also part of District I. |
Other attractions are the thermal baths like Király or Rudas Thermal Baths.
Budapest Spas are excellent for recreation or certain medication purposes.
The Danube bank between Castle Hill and Margaret Bridge was once spotted with fishermen's cottages and docks. That's why this area is called Víziváros (Water-town).
TIP: A pleasant and romantic way to admire the scenic riverfronts is by going on a cruise on the Danube. |
The area is easy to approach. Two bridges connect it to Pest, and the Buda end of Margaret Bridge is also close. The M2 metro line has two stations within the district: the Batthyány tér station is in the center, the Moszkav tér station lies on the ditrict's boundary. Several bus and tram lines run through the area.
District II
Rózsadomb (Rose Hill) is the most notable part in this district. The rich live here in their exclusive villas. Spectacular views and clean air attracted Budapest's most influential to this area.
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The oldest part of the district is northern Víziváros. Yoi find the northernmost Islamic holy place in Europe, the Tomb of Gül Baba near the Buda foot of Margaret Bridge, in Gül Baba Street. District II is a bit out of the city centre, though Moszkva tér, a major public transport hub is also here. |
The M1 metro line has a station at Moszkva tér, the terminals of trams No 4 and 6 are also on the square.
You can approach the hills by buses and trams departing from Moszkva tér. From the terminal of tram No 56 departs the Children's Railway that takes you up to Széchenyi Hill, where you can enjoy one of the best panoramas of Budapest. Several tourist routes run thrugh the hills. If you love great architecture take a walk on Rose Hill.
District V - Belváros (Inner City) or Downtown Budapest
Terrace of Gerbeaud Cafe on Vörömarty tér
The famous pedestrian shopping area, Váci Street cuts through the district, with the Great Market Hall at its one end, and Vörösmarty tér on the other end.
Walk along Dunakorzó (Danube Promenade) and enjoy the beautiful vista of the Danube and the Castle Hill.
District V has many hotels, most of them are luxury 5 star hotels. They utilize the great location and the beautiful panorama of the Danube and Castle Hill.
Click for a wide choice of Budapest hotel deals and reviews.
The administrative center of whole Budapest is in District V, in Lipótváros part. It's also a business quarter with several major banks, government ministries and offices that flank the grandiose Budapest Parliament on Kossuth tér. Szabadság tér is a lively place with lots of cafés and restaurants.
Budapest biggest church, St Stephen's Basilica stands also in this district.
This is the heart of Pest embraced by two bridges; the Chain Bridge, Liberty Bridge and by Deák tér. You'll find many attractions here. Historic Pest was here, you can see remains of the city wall in Kecskeméti utca.
Apart from 5 star hotels downtown Budapest offers some very nice luxury apartments for rent too, which is a good alternative over staying in a hotel.
You can get to and travel within the area by many public transport services. All three Budapest metro lines have stations in the district. Tram No 2 runs along the Pest side of the Danube and perfect for a Budapest sightseeing.
District VI - Terézváros
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District VI has thriving cultural life. Andrássy Avenue is Budapest's Broadway with the Opera House, Liszt Ferenc Music Academy, and the Operetta Theater. The Avenue also abounds in fine places of entertainment, great restaurants, cafés and bars. Terézváros is a place where you can go for a leisurely walk along the sycamore lined avenue, view the magnificent architectural masterpieces, sit in a café on Liszt Ferenc tér and contemplate the busy street life around you. |
Nyugati Train Station and the bustling square in front of it is in the northern corner of District VI.
Other public transport services include trams No 4 and 6 (Oktogon and Nyugati tér stops). M3 metroline has a station at Nyugati tér too.
Continental Europe's first underground, the M1 or yellow metro line travels along Andrássy Avenue.
See also our guide to Budapest City Center.
District VII - Erzsébetváros
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Erzsébetváros is surrounded by Károly körút, Király utca and Rákóczi út. District VII is a center of Jewish Budapest. There are several synagogues here. The Great Synagogue in Dohány utca is the second largest and the most beautiful synagogue in the world. |
Dohány Street in late autumn |
District VII is one of the most hectic areas in Budapest, though it has some famous Budapest landmarks like the New York Palace on Grand Boulevard (Nagykörút).
Best ways to get here:
M2 (red) metroline runs along the boundary of the district. Blaha Lujza tér is an important publict transportation hub, both tram No 4 and No 6 have stops here. Buses No 7 and No 173 connect Pest and Buda. Trolleys play an important role in the district's transportation too.
| TIP: You can explore the downtown districts of Budapest by thematic walking tours. See also a list of our favourite Budapest attractions. |
District VIII - Józsefváros
One of the most densely populated and poorest districts of Budapest. Józsefváros has a distinctive, old-fashioned athmosphere. The majority of its population is Gypsy. |
Most areas are underdeveloped, though large scale development plans will modernize this city part. The district boasts several libraries, hospitals, universities and museums. Józsfeváros also has two big sport grounds. This district also functions as the heart of Budapest, because the main traffic runs through Baross utca, Rákóczi út and Üllői út. |
To experience true Józsfeváros, walk in the streets beyond Grand Boulevard and on Rákóczy út. Crumbling inner courtyards, shabby houses with ecclectic facades and old shops dominate this part of Budapest. Because of the great Chienese market you'll meet many Chienese people.
There are some more pleasant attractions in District VII. It has one of the largest gardens in Budapest, Orczy kert and the National Museum is also here.
The Hungarian Natural History Museum on Ludovika tér houses exciting scientific exhibitions.
Behind Kálvin tér you'll find many great buildings, for example the beautiful Wenckheim Palace that houses the Szabó Ervin Library.
Józsfeváros is unfortunately a criminal-ridden part of Budapest. No wonder that its nickname is Chicago.
Avoid walking alone at night in the outer parts of District VII, it can be dangerous!
District IX - Ferencváros
One of the most diverse districts of Budapest. Its atmosphere is much like Józsfeváros', though Ferencváros is a rapidly developing part of the capital. Despite, the area has to cope with serious social and environmental problems. The district has many monuments that are in need of renovation.
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The biggest development project is undergoing on the former Expo 96' site on the Danube bank. The new National Theater on the Pest side of the Danube near Lágymányosi Bridge was built a couple of years ago. Next to the National Theatre, the Palace of Arts was finished in 2005. It houses the National Concert Hall and the Ludwig Contemporary Arts Museum. |
Outer Budapest Districts
District III - Óbuda-Aquincum
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Óbuda (Old Buda) is the oldest and second largest Budapest district. District III lies in the northern part of the city in Buda. Romans had a colony here called Aquincum in the first decades BC. Aquincum served as the northernmost boundary of the Roman Empire. Archeologists discovered several monuments from the Roman era that you can visit today. |
The centre of the district is Fő tér and Flórián tér with administrative and commercial Impressive baroque buildings, like the town hall surround the cobbled Fő tér. The dilapited Zichy Plalace stands on this square too. You'll find a handfull of taverns on Fő tér offering traditional Hungarian cuisine.
Békásmegyer is a less attractive part in District III. It consists of huge, characterless high rise blocks, built in the communist era.
There are some green areas on Római Part on the Danube bank, on Csillaghegy and the hills west of Bécsi út.
Hajógyári-sziget is home to the popular Sziget Festival every summer.
Major transportation hubs: Mexikói út and Örs vezér tér (M2 metro line terminal), Bosnyák tér in the centre of the dsitrict, the Gödöllő suburbian railway (HÉV) line is also important in the area's public transportation.
District IV - Újpest
Mainly a residential and industrial area. Újpest is rather young, it's started to develop in the second half of the 19th century. Socialist housing estates dominate the city scape in this district.
M3 metro line has its terminal here (Újpest Városközpont). The Váci út (do not confuse it with the pedestrianized Váci Street in District V) carries most of the subsurface traffic.
District X - Kőbánya
District X is mainly an industrial area. Kőbánya literally means stone quarry, though beer comes to the minds of most Hungarians. Breweries utilize the deserted quarries running under the surface for several kilometres long.
The largest is the Dreher Brewery.
Budapest biggest public park, Népliget is ideal for a walk. The Planetárium and the Laser Theater in the park offer unique experiences.
The coach station is opposite Népliget. M2 and M3 metro lines have their terminals here at Örs vezér tér and Kőbánya-Kispest metro terminal.
District XI - Újbuda (New Buda)
Wealthy citizens lived here before they moved to the Buda Hills.
The district embraces Gellért Hill. Climb up the hill and you can enjoy one of the best panoramic views of Budapest. The limestone hill towers above the Danube and forms a characteristic part of the cityscape.
Móricz Zsigmond körtér is the focal point of everyday life here. The square is a major public transport hub. Several trams and buses have stops here.
Gellért Square is the other centre of the district's transportation.
Another distinctive feature is the Budapest Technical University, along the Danube bank between Liberty Bridge and Lágymányosi Bridge.
District XII-Hegyvidék, Buda Hills
District XII is the lung of Budapest. Despite the increasing construction works extensive spatches of forest cover the Buda Hill. ou'll find it a bit difficult to get to some outer areas in the district due to the hilly terrain. Several public transport bus services get you to the inner parts of the area.
The hills are ideal for hiking and to get some fresh air and peacfulness after the busy city center.
Enjoy the beautiful view of Budapest from the lookout point on Széchenyi Hill. You can go up there by the cogwheel railway. People go to ski to Normafa when there is some snow in winter. In warmer seasons it's perfect for strolling, sitting on the benches and taking in the vista.
District XIII - Angyalföld
Angyalföld literally means Land of Angels. It has two completely different parts. The southern part (Újlipótváros) along Grand Boulevard is a continuation of the inner city, while northern Angyalföld is the most typical working class area in Budapest.
The most popular attraction is the idylic Margaret Island (Margitsziget). If you want to get away from the bustling city, head for Margit-sziget for a walk, or jog along the Danube. The Palace of Miracles on Váci út (Váci Road, do not confuse it with the pedestrianized Váci Street in District V) is fun for both kids and adults. It's Central Europe's first interactive playhouse.
Shopping addicts would also love this district, one of the bigest Budapest shopping malls, Duna Plaza is on Váci út.
The district plays an important role in Budapest's transportation with Nyugati Train Station and the coach station at Árpád Bridge. Since the Danube borders Angyalföld, you can get there by boat operated by the city's public transport company (BKV).
District XIV - Zugló
Zugló is Budapest's second greenest district. Zugló has recently been undergoing a residential development, because it's become a very popular target for citizens planning to buy an apartment. You can buy a nice flat in green surroundings here, similar to those in the Buda Hills, for less money.
Attractions include Heroes' Square with the grandiose Millennium Monument, Budapest Zoo, the Botanical Gardens and the Amusement Park in City Park (Városliget).
District XXI -Csepel
District XXI lies on an island called Csepel sziget. Csepel was the center of the communist heavy industry and it still has some working class atmosphere. Heavy machinery, trucks and tractors were manufactured here.
Northern Csepel has a large area that is planned to be built in according to current developments. Some people have dreamt about establishing little Manhattan here, but it's unclear what will be implemented in the area.
Not many attractions are in District XXI, but those who want to get an impression about the communist years, feel free to take a walk in the former Red Csepel Industrial Complex. For a more pleasant scenery go to the Danube bank on the eastern side, you'll find a spectacular waterfront there.
You can get to Csepel by the suburbian railway from Boráros tér at the Pest end of the Petőfi Bridge or by car.
If you're interested in Investment in Budapest click to read our article.
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